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ALTON - The final Alton Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market of the 2026 season promises to be one of the best. From 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at the corner of Landmarks Blvd. and Henry Street in Alton, Alton Main Street will host their final market of the 24-week season. Community members are invited to come down and shop local vendors. The market will also feature a ticketed goat yoga class, complete with a pen where you can pet baby goats free of charge throughout

EAST ALTON — A driver struck a vehicle head-on, and then the driver immediately left the scene Wednesday morning, Oct. 14, 2026, in the 500 block of East St. Louis Avenue, according to East Alton Police Chief Al Adams. East Alton police and firefighters responded to the crash. The driver and passengers of the vehicle that was struck were transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. A 2-month-old infant was in the back seat. Alton Fire Department ambulance responded to the crash.

COLLINSVILLE - On Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, the Collinsville Police Department responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Country Lane and North Keebler. Collinsville Police said responding officers learned that the suspect had been following the victim for an extended period of time Tuesday morning and made multiple threats to shoot the victim. “The victim was driving east on Country Lane with the suspect driving behind him,” the Collinsville Police said. “As the victim

ALTON - Alton Main Street will host their annual Downtown Chili Cookoff this weekend. From 12–3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, at FLOCK Food Truck Park and Bar, community members can enjoy chili while fundraising for downtown beautification. Alton Main Street Executive Director Sara McGibany expressed her excitement for the day. “I had never attended a chili cookoff before I started organizing ours, and you would not believe what a hoot they are if you haven’t been,”

COLLINSVILLE - Lightning struck a Collinsville substation early Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, causing equipment to malfunction and knocking out power to about 3,000 customers as a storm moved through Madison County, according to Brian Bretsch, public and media relations manager. The outage began around 4:40 a.m. Wednesday, after lightning struck inside the substation in the 200 block of Goethe Avenue in Collinsville. Crews were dispatched and restored power to nearly 1,500 customers by 7:40 a.m.

ALTON - OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center is hosting a Mocktails and Mammograms event for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. From 1–7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, community members can come by OSF St. Anthony’s for a health fair, featuring free health screenings and refreshments. Christine Tepen, mammography coordinator, and Heather Thompson, certified breast health navigator, encourage people to come out and enjoy a fun day while taking care of an important health need. “Don&rsqu

JERSEYVILLE – The biggest discussion topic at the latest Jersey County Board meeting was not on the agenda, but drew a larger crowd than usual as talk of data center development continues. 12 attendees signed up to speak on the topic of data centers and zoning regulations and were followed by a few more speakers who had not signed up in advance. Each were given two minutes to address board members. County Board Chairman Mark Wagner gave a statement on the subject before public comments

This Day in Music History: Oct. 14, From the Everly Brothers to Bowie's 'Heroes' David Bowie released “Heroes” on Oct. 14, 1977, turning his Berlin experiments into an album whose reach would extend far beyond its initial audience. Its combination of rock songs and atmospheric instrumental music made room for both direct emotion and adventurous sound. Forty-nine years later, it remains a defining milestone on a date that also brought breakthroughs for the Everly Brothers, Bobbie

This Day in History: October 14, 2026 On October 14, 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold II of England at the Battle of Hastings. Harold died in the fighting, and William’s victory opened the way for the Norman conquest of England. The battle grew out of a disputed royal succession, but its consequences reached far beyond the question of who would wear the crown. Norman rule changed land ownership, government, architecture, and the language spoken in England. Those changes

Fall festivals, live music, seasonal markets and Halloween activities offer plenty to explore Oct. 16-18. Browse RiverBender.com Events for the complete calendar. Great Rivers Choral Society Presents: Many Voices One Anthem celebrates 25 years of community music with three free concerts. The series begins at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at New Bethel United Methodist Church, 131 N. Main St. in Glen Carbon, continues at 3 p.m. Oct. 17 at First Presbyterian Church of Alton at Fourth and Alby streets, and

ALTON — The Alton Committee of the Whole adjourned without taking action Tuesday night, Oct. 13, 2026, after only three of seven City Council members attended, leaving the committee one member short of the quorum required to conduct business. Rosetta “Rosie” Brown, who was scheduled to chair the meeting, attended along with Patricia Ford and Michael Velloff. At least four council members must be present for the committee to conduct business. Brown said she expected the meetin

ALTON — One person was taken to an area hospital Tuesday night, Oct. 13, 2026, after a two-vehicle crash at Homer Adams Parkway and Golf Road tipped an SUV onto its side, authorities said. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said an initial investigation found that one vehicle failed to yield while turning left. The Alton Fire and Police departments responded immediately to the call, which came in about 7:25 p.m. Oct. 13, 2026, according to the chief. “The impact caused an SUV to

HARDIN - An investigation into damage to about 18 mailboxes and multiple road signs in rural Golden Eagle, Ill., has concluded with charges against six men, according to Calhoun County Sheriff Zach Hardin. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office began investigating Jan. 10, 2026, after receiving reports of vandalism and property damage. Investigators found mailboxes that had been damaged, stolen or destroyed and road signs that had been uprooted or otherwise damaged. Deputies processed the individua

ALTON – The City of Alton is preparing to fire striking workers over alleged “behavior on the picket line” as union representatives say their members’ health insurance was dropped without warning. Business Agent Jay Steinhauer with Teamsters Local 525 confirmed on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, that union members received a letter the day prior from the city’s third-party attorney, Corey Franklin, stating the city intends to fire striking workers over certain picketing behavio

BETHALTO — Margot Wilfong’s daughter volunteered her to work an election in 1957. Sixty-eight years later, the 98-year-old Bethalto resident is retiring from serving Madison County voters after health setbacks prompted her to step away. Wilfong spent much of her time as an election judge serving Precinct 15, working through the transition from hand-counted paper ballots to modern voting equipment. Following the spring primary election, she considered returning for the November election

ALTON — Maintenance problems and a lease expiring at the end of 2028 are prompting Hayner Public Library to explore a new facility, with officials outlining relocation options Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, at a River Bend Growth Association Ambassadors meeting at the library. Library officials are considering combining the downtown and mall libraries under one roof, excluding the historical library, or constructing a facility solely to replace the mall location. Library Board President Kevin

ALTON/GLEN CARBON/GODFREY - Community members across the Riverbend region can enjoy a unique choral concert this weekend. The Great Rivers Choral Society will present “Many Voices One Anthem” at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at New Bethel United Methodist Church in Glen Carbon; 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church of Alton; and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, at Godfrey First United Methodist Church. Singers Pat Stewart and Dennis Wilson look forward

ST. LOUIS — An Alton, Ill., man is jailed without bond after police said he threatened to shoot up a Ballpark Village bar and kill officers’ families during an overnight incident Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. Ajai D. Spiller, 25, was charged by the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office with second-degree making a terrorist threat and four counts of fourth-degree assault. According to a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department probable cause statement, Spiller became belligerent

NASHVILLE, Ill. — A traffic stop shortly after midnight on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, led to the arrest of an 18-year-old Bethalto man after Nashville Police officers said they found a loaded handgun beneath his seat and later discovered items police identified as stolen from vehicles burglarized the previous evening, according to the department. Kayden C. Robertson was arrested after an officer stopped a vehicle on side streets in Nashville. Police had sent officers to the northeast area

WOOD RIVER — The Fruit Stand in Wood River is seeking a payment arrangement after four youths allegedly damaged pumpkins and plants on its lot late at night, leaving hundreds of dollars in damage and a mess for employees opening the family business. The Fruit Stand revealed on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, the business at 365 E. Edwardsville Road said the damage occurred about 11:30 p.m. while it was closed. The owners asked the youths or their parents to contact them, saying the business should